"Product ops" is a rapidly-growing role that alleviates product managers' burden by creating shared systems and infrastructure, optimizing product management processes, and enabling informed decisions through data and insights.
Takeaways
• Product ops free up product managers' time by taking on operational tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic priorities.
• Product ops can optimize product management processes through shared services, streamlined activities, and effective user research.
• Effective product ops teams gather qualitative insights from sales and support functions, bridging the gap between product and customer-facing teams.
• Product ops play a critical role in business data and insights by monitoring product health, extracting insights, and communicating them effectively to stakeholders.
• Product ops teams help product managers make informed decisions by collecting and interpreting data, improving decision-making, and providing valuable insights.
• Building a product ops team starts with one person focused on alleviating the product management plate, identifying quick wins, and gradually scaling the team.
• When hiring product ops professionals, consider both experience and skill set, with a focus on data interpretation, storytelling, and effective communication.
• Product ops teams assist CPOs in managing data and setting strategy, considering factors like growth stage and available resources.
• Product ops involves restructuring and aligning team activities with company strategy, utilizing tools like portfolio roadmaps, data analysis platforms, and user research toolkits.
• Collaboration and staying connected with colleagues are essential for successful product ops, particularly during challenging times.
• Sharing stories and experiences about product ops helps advance the field and provides valuable insights to others.
